Question: Can you explain or expand upon, the negotiating fee of $5 million to Gov. Patrick for a casino compact with a federally recognized Indian tribe?

I can understand the appropriation to the attorney general to set up shop to investigate and prosecute people who may be breaking the law but the $5 million to the governor stumps me.

I thought we pay him a salary to negotiate for us on matters of such import.

– Len Kaimi,
Springfield

Answer: In he new casino law signed last year by Gov. Deval L. Patrick, a federally-recognized Indian tribe, likely the Mashpee Wampanoag, is given until July 31 to negotiate an agreement with the governor’s office for a casino in the southeast part of the state. The southeast license would be bid to private companies if an agreement with an Indian tribe is not approved by then.

In the gaming law, there is an appropriation of $5 million to the governor’s office “to provide for certain costs associated with the implementation of expanded gaming including, but not limited to, costs related to legal, financial and other professional services required for the negotiation and execution of a compact with a federally recognized Indian tribe in the commonwealth to establish a tribal casino in region.”

According to an official with the Patrick administration, the $5 million will be reimbursed from the fees that gaming companies will need to pay for a license to operate a casino in Massachusetts.

The governor’s office may issue bids for certain legal or investment banking services connected with the proposed compact.

The state Legislature and the federal Department of Interior would need to approve any compact, the official said.

Some money from this line item may also be used to hire a search firm to help select two of the five members of a proposing gaming commission, which would license and regulate casinos, the official said.